Sunday, November 23, 2008

Iowa City Named World City of Literature


The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated Iowa City, Iowa, the world's third City of Literature, making the community part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
"This is at once a celebration of the literary riches and resources of Iowa City and a spur to action," said University of Iowa International Writing Program Director Christopher Merrill, who led the UI Writing University committee that submitted the city's proposal. "We look forward to working with our new partners in the Creative Cities network -- to forging dynamic relationships with writers, artists and others committed to the life of discovery. This is a great day for Iowa City."
Iowa City joins Edinburgh, Scotland, and Melbourne, Australia, as UNESCO Cities of Literature.
Here is a link to a video of Marvin Bell reading his poem, "Writers in Cafe", that accompanied the application. Also a pdf of the poem.

3 comments:

RipeAplomb said...

Congrats to your adopted hometown! Its merits are obvious; can't say the same for Melbourne. That place didn't strike me as a literary mecca, but my visit was ages ago...

So, is being a writer in IC akin to being an actor in LA or a model in NYC? They're a dime a dozen? :)

Churlita said...

Yea us. If we weren't given that honor, I don't know what other city could have received it. I remember some guy tried to impress me by telling me he was writing a book, and I was like, really? In this town? You must be very special.

Sorry I didn't make it out on Friday. I was determined to sit on my couch and watch Sweeney Todd.

Unknown said...

Dublin, Ireland comes to mind and I think New York would have something to say but I think per capita Iowa City wins hands down.